Switch operating mechanism



J. SACHS Filed Feb. 5, 1930 3 Sheei'Is--SheelI l fnl/Enh?" 7550/7 555/75.77 )l '7/ SWITCH OPERATING MECHANI SM Feb. 9, 1932.

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SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 5, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 PatentedFeb. 9, 1932 PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH SACHS, 0F WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUTSWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Application filed February 5, 1930. SerialNo. 425,998.

This invention relates particularly to an operating mechanism for adouble throw switch, the mechanism being adapted to effeet a quickmovement of the switch to its open position from either of its closedpositions and being preferably also adapted to eiect a quick movement ofthe switch from its open position to either of its closed positions.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and compactswitch operating mechanism having the characteristics as described andof such construction as to be effective and reliable in operation andeconomical in manufacture. This object is attained by providing a switchoperating element, and two independently movable actuating members forthe operating element each having a lost-motion connection therewith,and preferably by also providing a manually movable controlling devicehaving a lost-motion connection with each actuating member.

In the accompanylng drawmgs I have shown the embodiment of the inventionwhich I now deem preferable, but it will be understood that the drawingsare intended for illustrative purposesjonly and are not to.

y be construed as defining or limiting the scope principal parts of themechanism spaced from each other so that their details of constructionmay more clearly appear.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view showing in .assembled relationship 'theparts which are shown'separately in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of Fig.4.

Figs. 6 to 11 are views similar to Fig. 4 but showing the parts of themechanism in various relative positions.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, l represents asanentiretya switch box or casing which may be of the ordinaryrectangular form and which may be provided with the usual front cover 2hinged to the box at one side and adapted to be held in closed positionby means of a latch 3. Mounted within the casing is a suitable doublethrow switch which, so far as the present invention is concerned, may beof any suitable construction. For purposes of clearly illustrating theinvention I have shown a switch of the type disclosed in my copendingapplication for electric circuit controlling appliance, Serial No.444,050 led April 14, 1930, but it is to be understood that the presentinvention is by no means limited to a .switch of this type.

I have illustrated a two pole switch, but the number of poles maybevaried as desired. For each pole there are provided two pairs ofstationary switch contacts 5, 6 and 7, 8. The electrical connections forthese stationary switch contacts may be varied, but as shown the twocontacts 6 and 8 are electrically connected to each other by means of astrap 9 and they are also electrically connected with a wire terminal10. The stationary contact 5 is connected with a wire terminal 11through the medium of a fuse mounted in fuse contacts 12 and 13. Thestationary contact 7 is connected with a wire terminal 14 through themedium of a fuse mounted in fuse contacts 15 and 16.

Slidably mounted for movement betweenv the stationary switch contacts ofthe two pairs is a switching member 17, the main body of which is formedof insulating'mate rial. Mounted upon the main body of the slidingswitching member are two conducting contact elements 18 and 19 which areout of contact with the stationary switch contacts when the switchingmember is in central position as shown. It will be evident, however,that when the switching member is.

moved upward the conducting element 18 will move between the stationarycontacts 5 and 6 to electrically connect them, and that when the switchmember is moved downward the conducting element 19 will move between thestationary contacts 7 and 8 to electrically connect them. The switchingmember 17 for the two poles of the switch are provided with slots 2O bymeans of which the switch members are mechanically connected with anoperating element 21. Preferably and as shown the -operating element 21is mounted for oscillatory movement about a transverse axis and it hasaligned pivot sections 22, 22 at its ends and an off-set crank 23between the pivot sections. Then the switch is enclosed in a casing suchas 1, the pivot sections 22, 22 are` preferably supported by theopposite side walls of the casing. When the operating element 21 isoscillated the sliding member of the switch is moved by the cranksection 23 thereof either to the central open position as shown in Figs.1 and 2 or to either of the two closed positions. ,l

As clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 I provide two members 24 and 25,which for the sake of convenience I will designate as actuating members.In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated, these two actuatingmembers are mounted for oscillatory movement about the same axis as theoperating element. Each of the members 24 and 25 has a lost-motionconnection with the operating element, and preferably this connection isobtained by means of lugs 24a and 24b on the member 24 and lugs 25al and25b on the member 25. The parts are so assembled that the radial portionof the olf-set crank section 23 of the operating element lies betweenthe two lugs 24a and 24h and also between the two lugs 25a and 25".

In addition to the actuating members- 24 and 25 I provide a controllingdevice which is mechanically connected with the actuating membersindependently of the operating ele-v ment, and preferably there areprovided for this purpose lost-motion connections which are separatefrom the operating element. The controlling device is preferably mountedfor movement about the same axis as the operating element. Thiscontrolling device comprises an arm 27 located on the exterior of thecasing and carrying a handle 28. The

' controlling device also comprises a hub 29 which extends through andhas a bearing in a circular opening in the side wall of the casing l.The' corresponding pivot section 22 of the operating element 21 extendsinto a central hole in the hub. The two actuating members 24 and 25 aremounted on the periphery of the hub 29 and are adapted toturn thereoneach independently of the other. The controlling device furthercomprises a linger 30 which contacts with the inner face of the hub andwhich projects radially outward sol as to lie between the two lugs 24aand 24b of the actuating member 24 and between the twolugs 25a and 25bof the actuating member 25. The three parts 27, 29 and 30 of thecontrolling device are connected together by meansof screws 31, 31.

Connected with each of the actuating members 24 and 25 is anover-the-center spring means, which tends to hold the correspondingmember in either of its extreme positions. As illustrated, each of thesaid means comprises a guide rod 32 which is pivoted to an arm extendingfrom the corresponding actuating member. The opposite end portion ofeach rod 32 projects through suitable holes in a yoke 33, the yoke beingpivoted to the adjacent side wall of the box by means of a bearing stud34 held in place by means of a washer 35 and a cotter pin 36. ing eachrod 32 and interposed between a shoulder on the rod and thecorresponding yoke 33 is a compression coil spring 37. The spring 37, byits expansive action, tends to hold the corresponding actuating memberat one or the other of its limits of movement. For limiting the movementof the actuating member 24 in the counter-clockwise direction there isprovided a stud 38 carried by the side wall of the box, and for limitingthe movement of theactuating member 25 inthe clockwise direction thereis provided a similar stud 39.

I have shown and described a mechanism wherein the operating element,the two actuating members and the controlling device are all mounted foroscillatory movement about the same axis. This construction ispreferred, but it is understood that as far as the broader aspects ofthe invention are concerned I do not so limit myself.

I will now proceed with a detailed explanation with the operation of themechanism in its preferred form as illustrated. Referring particularlyto Fig. 4, it will be observed that all of the parts are in thepositions corresponding to the central or open position ofthe switch.The linger 3() is parallel with the radial portion of the off-set cranksection 23 of the operating element 21. The width of this finger may beapproximately the same as the thickness of the operating element,although in the drawings I have shown it slightly wider for the sake ofclarity of illustration. The two actuating members 24 and 25 are attheir o posite limits of movement, the member 24 Ibeing at its limit ofmovement in the counter-clockwise direction and the member 25 being atits limit of movement in the clockwise direction. With the actuatingmembers in this position the operating element is between the lugs 24and 25? and is thereby held in its central position corresponding to theo en position of the switch.` Inasmuch as the ger 30 of the operatingdevice is in engagement with the lugs ber has not yet been moved,ut'the4 lug 25J has been brought approximately into engagement with it.Any movementfof the controlling device beyond the position shown in Fig.6 will enable the spring 37 to act and quickly throw the actuatingmember 25 in the counter-clockwise direction so as to causey the lug 25bto quickly move the operating element in the counter-clockwise directionto the corresponding switch closing position as shown in Fig. 7.Movement of the operating element in the said direction is limited bythe lug 24b on the actuating member 24 which has not been moved, and thesaid operating element is in fact held between'the two lugs 24b and 25bso as to be maintained in its switch closing position.

When it is desired to return the switch to its central open position,the actuating device is moved in the clockwise direction toapproximately the position shown in Fig. 8, wherein the upper spring 37is again at its ldead center position. The operating element has not yetbeen moved, but the lug 25a on the actuating member 25 has been broughtapproximately into engagement with it. Further movement of thecontrolling device in the same direction will move the upper spring '37,past its dead center position and will cause it to quickly move theactuating member 25 in the clockwise direction so that the lug 25athereof will quickly move the operating element in theclockwisedirection so as to restore all of the parts to the relative positionsshown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 shows the relationship of parts when.

the controlling device has been moved in the clockwise direction. Thefinger 30, by reason of its engagement with the lug 24a, has moved theactuating member 24 far enough to bring the lower spring 37 to its deadcenter position. The operating element has not yet been moved, but thelug 24b has been brought approximately into engagement with it. Any

movement of the controlling device beyond the position shown in Fig. 9will enable the lower spring 37 to act and quickly throw the actuatingmember 24 in the clockwise direction so as to cause the lug 24b toquickly move the operating element in the clockwise directionto thesecond switch closing position of the switch as shown in Fig. 10.Movement of the operating element in the said direction is limited bythe lug 25h on the actuating member 25 which has not been moved, and thesaid operating element is in factA held between the two lugs 25b and 24bso as to be maintained in its second switch closing position.

When it is desired to return the mechanism to its central open position,the actuating device is moved in the counter-clockwise direction toapproximately the position shown in Fig. 11, wherein thelower spring 37is again at its dead center position. rl`he operating element has notyet been moved, but

the 1u`g 24a on the actuating member 24 has been brought approxlmatelyinto engagement with it. Further movement of the lcontrolling device inthe same direction will move the llower spring 37 past its dead centerposition and will cause it to quickly move the actuating member 24 inthe counter-clockwise direction so that the lug 24a thereof will quicklymove'the operating. element in the counterclockwise direction so as torestore all of the part-s to the relative positionsv shown in Fig. 4.

p That I claim is:

i 1. In a switch operating mechanism for 'a double throw switch, thecombination of an operating element, two independently movable actuatingmembers for the operating element each having a lost-motion connectiontherewith and serving when at their directionally opposite limits ofmovement to hold the said element in its central position, and meansseparate from the operating element for moving either of the actuatingmembers in the direction away from its said limit position, the memberso moved acting through the said lost-motion connection to move theoperating element in the same direction to its corresponding switchclosing position.

2. .A switch operating mechanism as set forth in claim l, wherein thereare two overthe-center spring means for the respective actuatingmembers, each serving to hold the corresponding member at one or theother of its limits of movement.

3. A switch operating mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein themeans for moving either lof the actuating members includes amanuallymovable controlling device having a lost-motion connection with eachactuating member.

4..A switch operating mechanism as set 4 toa central open position, twoactuating members movable to a limited extent independently of eachother and independently of the operating element, two over-the-centerspring means connected with the respective actuating members and adapedto hold both of them at their limits of movement in one direction or attheir limits of movement in the other direction and to thereby hold theoperating element in one or the other of its switch closing positions,and a controlling device mechanically connected with the actuatingmembers separately from the operating element and serving to move one orthe other of the said members away from its said limit position in onedirection or the other as required, the initial movement of the saidmember so moved causing the corresponding over-the-center spring meansto act and quickly complete the movement in the said directionindependently7 of the controlling device so as to quickly move theoperating element to its central open switch position.

6. A quick operating m-echanism for a double throw switch, comprising incombination an operating element adapted to operate the switch to eitherof two closed positions or to a central open position, two actuatingmembers movable to a limited extent independentlyv of each other andindependently of the operating element, two over-thecenter spring meansconnected with the respective 'actuating members and serving when theoperating element is-in its central position to hold the actuatingmembers at their directionally opposite limits of movement, and acontrolling device mechanically connected with the actuating membersindependently of the operating element for initially moving either ofthe said members independently of the other in the direction away Afromits said limit position so as to cause the corresponding over-the-centerspring means to act and quickly complete the movement in the saiddirection, the respective actuating members including means servingduring the latter part ofthe said movement of either member to engagethe operating element and quickly move it to the corresponding switchclosing position.

7. A quick operating mechanism for a double throw switch, comprising incombination an operating element adapted to operate the switch to eitherof two closed positions or to a central open position` two actuatingmembers movable to a limited extent independently ofeach other andindependently of the operating element, two over-thecenter spring meansconnected with the respective actuating members and serving when theoperating lelement is in its central position to hold the actuatingmembers at their directionally opposite limits of movement, and acontrolling device mechanically -away from its said limit position so asto cause the corresponding over-the-center spring means to act andquickly complete the movement in the said direction, the respectiveactuating members including means serving during the latter part of thesaid movement of either member -to engage the operating element andquickly move it to the corresponding switch closing position and therespective actuating members also including means enabling either memberto limit the switch closing movement of the operating element by theother member.

8. A quick operating mechanism for a double throw switch, comprising incombination an operating element adapted to operate the switch to eitherof two closed positions or to a central open position, two actuatingmembers movable independently of each other and each having alost-motion connection with the operating element, two over-thecenterspring means connected with the respective actuating members and servingwhen the operating element is in its central position to hold theactuating members at their directionally opposite limits of movementwith respect thereto, and a controlling device having lost-motionconnections with the respective actuating members which lostmotionconnections are separate from the operating element and serve toinitially move either one of the actuating members independently of theother in the direction away from` its said limit position so as to causethe corresponding over-the-center spring means to actand quicklycomplete the movement in the said direction, the actuating member whichis so moved serving during the latter part of its mov-ement to engagethe operating element and quickly move it to the corresponding switchclosing position.

9. A quick operating mechanism for a double throw switch, comprising incombination an oscillatory operating element adapted to operate theswitch to either of two closed positions or to a central open position,two actuating members movable independently of each other and eachhaving a lost-motion connection with the operating element, tWoover-the-c'enter spring means connected with the respective actuatingmembers and serving when the operating element is in its centralposition to hold the actuating members at their directionally oppositelimits of movement with respect thereto and to thus hold the operatingmember in its said central position, and a controlling devicemechanically connected with the actuating members independently of theoperating element for initially moving either one of the actuatingmembers independently of the other in the direction away from its saidlimit positionso asto releasecthe operating element for movement in thesame direction and so as to cause the corresponding over-the-centerspring means to act and quickly complete the movement of the member somoved, the last said actuating member during the latter part of itsmovement engaging the operating elelment and quickly moving it to the,corresponding switch closing position.

10. A quick operating mechanism Vfor a double throw switch, comprisingin combination an element adapted to operate the switch to either of twoclosed positions or to a central open position, two actuating membersmovable to a limited extent independently of each other andindependently of the operating element, two over-the-center spring meansconnected with the respective actuating members and adapted to hold bothof them at their limits of movements in one direction or at their limitsof movement in the other direction and to thereby hold the operatingelement in one or the other of its switch closing positions, and acontrolling device mechanically connected with the actuating membersseparately from the operating element and serving to move first one andthen, if required, the other of the actuating members away from theirsaid limit positions in one 'direction or the other as required, theinitial movement of the rst member causing the correspondingover-the-center spring means to act and quickly complete the movement inthe said direction independently of the controlling device so as toquickly move the operating element to its central open switch positionand the initial movement of the second member causing the correspondingover-the-center spring means to act and quickly complete the movement inthe said direction independently of the controlling device so as toquickly move the operating member from its central position to theremaining closed switch positions.

11. In a switch operating mechanism for a double throw switch,vthecombination of an oscillatory operating element, two oscillatoryactuating members movable coaxially with the operating element and eachhaving a lost-motion connection therewith, the said members when theyare at their opposite limits of movement holding the operating elementin its central position and the said members when they are both ateither of their limits of movement in the same direction holding theoperating element in its corresponding switch closing position, andmeans separate from the operating element for moving either of theactuating members in either direction.

12. In a switch operating mechanism for a double throw switch, thecombination of anl oscillatory operating element, two oscillatoryactuating members movable coaxially with the operating element and eachhaving a lostmotion connection therewith, and a manually movablecontrolling device movable coaxially with the operating element andactuating members and having a lost-motion connection vwith each of thelatter, 'which connect-ion is `separate from the operating element. y

13. In a quick operating mechanism for a double throw switch, thecombination of an oscillatory element adapted to operate the switch toeither of two closed positions or to a central open position, twooscillatory actuating members movable coaXially with the operatingelement and each having an independent lost-motion connection therewith,the said members when they are at their directionally opposite limits ofmovement holding the operating element in its central position andthe'said members when they are both at either of their limits of move-4ment lin the same direction holding the operating element in itscorresponding switch closing position, two over-the-center spring meansfor the respective actuating members each serving to hold thecorresponding member at one or the other of its limits of movement, anda manually lmovable controlling device movable coaxially with theoperating element and actuating members and having a lost-motionconnection with each of the latter, which connection is separate fromthe operating element.

14. In a quick operating mechanism for a double throw switch, thecombination of an oscillatory element comprising a single rod bent toform aligned pivot sections at its ends and an oH-set crank sectionbetween the pivot sections adapted to operate the switch to either oftwo closed positions or to a central open position, and two oscillatoryactuating members movable coaXially with the operating element adjacentone of the 'pivot sections thereof and each havingan independentlost-motion engagement with the crank portion thereof, the said memberswhen they are at their directionally opposite limits of movement holdingthe operating element in its central position and the said members whenthey are both at either of their limits of movement in the samedirection holding the operatingfelement in its4 corresponding switchclosing position.

15. A switch operating mechanism as set forth in claim 14, wherein thereare two overthe-center spring means for the respective actuating memberseach serving to hold the corresponding member at one or the other of itslimits of movement.

16. A switch operating mechanism as set forth in claim 14, wherein thereis a controlling device movable coaXially with the operating element andactuating members andY having a lost-motion connection with each of thelatter.

17. ,A switchoperating mechanism as set forth in claim 14, wherein thereare two overthe-center spring means for the respective actuating memberseach serving to hold the corresponding member at one or the other of itslimits of movement, and wherein there is a controlling device movablecoaxially with the operating element and actuating members and having alost-motion connection with each of the latter.

18. In a quick operating mechanism for a double throw switch, thecombination of an oscillatory element having aligned pivot sections atits ends and an olf-set crank section between the pivot sections adaptedto operate the switch to either of two closed positions .or to a centralopen position, two oscillatory actuating members movable coaxially withthe operating element adjacent one of the pivot sections thereof andeach having two spaced lugs extending parallelly with the axis andadapted to engage the radialportion of the crank section of theoperating element so that when the said members are at their oppositelimits of movement they will hold the operating element in its centralposition and so that when the said members are both at their limits ofmovement in the same direction they will hold the operating element inits corresponding switch closing position, two over-the-center springmeans for the respective actuating members each serving to hold thecorresponding member at one or the other of its limits of movement, anda controlling device movable coaxially with the operating element andactuating members and having a portion thereof extending between the twolugs of each actuating member to provide a lost-motion connectiontherewith.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day ofJanuary, 1930.

JOSEPH SACHS.

